Newly diagnosed

ninjamom

I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, had a lumpectomy almost a week ago and now find out that there is cancer on the lymph node that was removed. After telling me the news, the doctor started talking about treatment,additional surgery and percentages or some kind of number, I don't remember wat he said after that as I was still dealing with the fact that the cancer had spread. I'm so afraid and would like to hear from someone who has gone thru this and what your experiences with additional surgery.

KathiM

Take a deep breath.
It's still part of the first cancer, so they just need to go fetch the other nodes....my sentinel nodes were checked during my first surgery, found to have cancer, so my guy harvested the next 5 right then. These next 5 turned out to be clear. I had chemo/rads and now, 2 years post treatment, am still cancer free.

Hugs, Kathi

Unknown

Yes try not to panic. There are so many with positive nodes that do just fine. You should talk with your surgeon again so you can absorb the information and have a chance to ask him all your questions and then proceed with treatment. Prayers, Eileen

seof

First of all, what a strong name you have chosen for this site, and for your new stage in life! Second, fear is normal and shows that you have a brain and are aware of the possibilities. We all get scared. The trick is not to let it paralize you, or prevent you from taking action.

Now, Give yourself time to absorb the information. Then, Write down any and all questions. Get someone you trust to go with you and take notes next time you go to the Dr. It is nearly impossible to take in everything they tell you at each visit, much less to remember it by the time you go back again. I keep a spiral with a running list of questions. Do your own research from reputable sites (American Cancer Society, M.D.Anderson, or other Research hospital, Medical Universities, are some resources). Keep coming to this site for the voice of experience.

My experience with surgery: I knew fairly early on after my diagnosis in May of '07 that I would be having at least a unilateral mastectomy because of the size of the tumor and the fact that lymph nodes were involved. I opted to have a bilateral to ease my mind about recurrence in the other side (family history of breast cancer), though Drs. said it was not "medically necessary". I had that surgery in Dec. and now have tissue expanders in place while I wait for radiation and the effects thereof to heal(about 12 months from now). Then I will have reconstruction with my own tissues (as opposed to implants). I have had no complications with the surgery, and very few ill effects with chemo. It remains to be seen how radiation will be, but most folk say it is not as bad as chemo, so I am not too worried about it.

I hope this is helpful, hang in there. seof

cabbott

I am now a 5 year survivor, but it seems like yesterday when I was diagnosed and fear struck. At the time I couldn't get through an hour without crying much less a day. It took meeting lots of survivors and learning a lot about breast cancer before I actually slept through the night. Making a plan helped tons, but first I needed to get information (lots of it) and get organized. I got a three-hole binder and started my own medical file. The doctors have lots of reports on you: the pathology reports and mammograms are among the most useful to start. They are glad to give you these reports if you just ask. And if you have them with you when you visit other doctors, it saves a lot of time since they won't have to request records. I also made a page with ALL of my doctors' names, numbers and addresses. Then I started looking up everything I didn't understand about MY cancer and writing down all my questions. Since I didn't know anything about cancer except that people die from it, I had LOTS to learn. (Meeting a twenty plus year survivor at church who went through major surgery, chemo, and radiation when she was in her twenties and now looks terrific and healthy helped me with some of that fear. Prayer helps too.)
Because my cancer turned up in two different places when they did a lumpectomy and also a biopsy in a spot two inches away, I had to have a mastectomy. I did what the book (The Breast Book by Susan Love) said to do when they said the "M" word: I ran for a second opinion. The second doctor agreed with the need for a mastectomy, but he did a simple mastectomy instead of a modified radical and did a sentinel node operation that you have already had. I had to have the mastectomy because my breast was small and the cancers were two inches apart. But many folks just need a little more surgery to clean up margins. Sometimes further surgery is needed to sample more of the nodes under your arm. That would tell the doctor how aggressive your cancer has been in setting up house outside the breast and give him or her an idea of how aggressive you need to be to fight your cancer. Aggressive cancer needs aggressive treatment. A second opinion at a university hospital cancer treatment center that specializes in breast cancer can be very helpful when you are faced with things like chemo or mastectomies. They can tell you if the advice you are getting in your hometown makes sense and give you peace of mind about what you are doing. You could also consult a nurse or doctor that knows something about breast cancer, but see a specialist for specific advice about what to do. Good luck!

Unknown

There is so much I could write. The previous writers gave you good advice. I had two lymph nodes positive and have undergone aggressive treatment. I am doing radiation now. I plan on being just fine. I have gotten through a lot and am here for you with any questions or support you need. As are we all. Ask your doctor if Ativan is a good idea for you to help with anxiety. And visit here ANYTIME you need friends. You now have a lot of them! love, Joyce

tracisspot

MY REPLY TO YOU IS TO STAY STRONG AND GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO ABSORB THE INFORMATION THAT YOUR SURGEON GAVE YOU. I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AGGRESSIVE BREAST CANCER 5 YEARS AGO. I HAD TO HAVE A BILATERAL MASTECTOMY AND FOUND OUT THAT MY NODES WERE INVOLVED ALSO AND ENDED UP HAVING TO HAVE ANOTHER SURGERY. I HAD 18 REMOVED AND ONLY 3 HAD CANCER IN THEM. I AM PERFECTLY HEALTHY NOW AND HAVE BEEN CANCER FREE FOR 5 YEARS. IF YOU EVER NEED TO TALK I'M HERE FOR YOU. I HAD A GREAT SUPPORT GROUP WHEN I WENT THROUGH MY 18 MONTHS OF CHEMOTHERAPY AND 2 MONTHS OF RADIATION. I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL BUT BELIEVE ME IT WILL GET BETTER. LIKE I SAID JUST STAY STRONG AND A GREAT SUPPORT PERSON OF GROUP OF PEOPLE ALWAYS HELPS. GOD BLESS YOU

Jadie

I also had a lumpectomy with node removal. They took three nodes of which one was positive. I went back for a second surgery to get more of a margin (from the tumor) and to have more nodes removed for testing. I had 2 out of 15 positive nodes. You will find that going back for a second surgery is very common among us breast cancer survivors. It has to be done to determine how you are to be treated.

The second surgery was a bit worse than the first. I had a drain tube for a week. You will probably have some numbness under your arm where the nodes are removed. I didn't have this with the first surgery but I did with the second.

Don't be afraid to ask your doctor for meds for anxiety. I stayed on xanax throughout my treatment (chemo and rads).

I will soon be celebrating my 5th year as a survivor.

Please keep us posted as to how you are doing.